Utica, New York — A 13-year-old fugitive, identified as Nyah Mway, was fatally shot by a police officer in Utica, New York, after aiming what appeared to be a real gun at officers. The incident, which occurred late Friday night, has sparked an investigation by the New York Attorney General’s office and raised serious concerns about police conduct and procedures.
Nyah Mway, who was part of the Karen minority from Burma and an eighth-grader at Donovan Middle School, was reportedly fleeing from police out of fear of arrest. According to Utica Police Chief Mark Williams, officers were attempting to apprehend two youths when one of them, Mway, brandished what looked like a Glock 17 Gen 5 pistol. The situation escalated rapidly, culminating in Mway being shot in the chest during a scuffle on the ground.
Immediate first aid was administered by the officers at the scene, and Mway was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
The incident was captured on a video that surfaced on social media, showing a chase that ended with Mway being tackled to the ground by an officer. The video captures the tension of the moment, with a gunshot audible as more officers approach the scene. Chief Williams has cautioned that this video does not represent the entirety of the events.
During a tense press conference on Saturday, Chief Williams explained that the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, a standard procedure in such cases. He also noted that the local police department would conduct its own internal investigation to ensure all protocols were followed.
The press conference was fraught with emotion, ending prematurely as officials, including the mayor and an interpreter, struggled to address the flurry of questions from distressed residents and Mway’s family.